Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that teaches skills and proper behavior through reinforcement. ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning.

ABA therapy for each learner is adapted to their current level of need. All ABA therapy needs are based on assessments such as a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA), and or various educational assessments. An FBA helps determine why behaviors are happening, and what reinforces the maintenance of desired behaviors. Our clients may have treatment through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or an insurance therapy treatment plan.

ABA therapy is very important in changing the trajectory of an autism diagnosis. Treatment methods can target speech, receptive language, labeling items in the everyday environment, life skills, gross and fine motor skills, and social skills. ABA therapy also helps provide the learner with replacement behaviors for aggression, tantrums, unsafe behaviors, and self stimulatory behaviors.

Applied Behavior Analysis can be worked upon in a classroom setting, in the child’s natural environment, and through individual therapy, and in social skills settings. A client’s behaviors can be shaped at each step of their progress at their specific level of functioning.

At the Journey Center, we have the following Applied Behavior Analysis therapists

Instructional Aide

This therapist has a minimum of high school experience and may hold a certain level of college education. The aide assists with the implementation of charter school Individualized Education Plans (IEPS). Social skills can also be targeted under this charter school contract service delivery.

Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

A BHT therapist holds a minimum of a high school degree, and may have a level of college education. They aid in the implementation of a client’s insurance therapy goals, and may also help in a child’s school, home, daycare, or community setting. A BHT works under the direct supervision of their supervisor, which is a Behavioral Consultant (BC).

Behavioral Consultant (BC) through BCBA

A behavioral consultant has a minimum of a master’s degree. These therapists design treatment plans, assist the charter school teachers with implementation of a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and they are the end author on all assessments, treatment plans, and are the clinical lead on all of our client’s case specific needs.

Behavioral Consultants may also have their BCBA credential, or Board Certified Behavioral Analyst) certification.

The Journey Center’s level of standard in the delivery of our client’s ABA therapy is the expectation that all of our Behavioral Health Technicians work towards their Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). RBTs obtain a credential upon the completion of a 40 hour course, they are supervised monthly by their BC supervisor, and they must re-register yearly.

Our RBT therapists and BC/ BCBA therapists are registered through the BACB (Behavioral Analysts Certification Board).

The Journey Center ABA therapists described above may all provide services in their client’s home school districts, in their homes, and in the community. Consistency across environments and a therapeutic bond with all of the children’s therapists, teachers, family, and community members encourages a holistic approach where the learner may generalize skills across their life in all settings, and be successful.

FAQs

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What is ABA therapy and why does it work?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) is an evidenced-based approach to changing behaviors using consequences to those unwanted or socially unacceptable behaviors. Reinforcing wanted behaviors to increase the frequency of wanted behaviors is the primary focus of ABA therapy. Children with Autism are unaware of the appropriateness of many of their behaviors and ABA has been designed using results of thousands of studies to identify the laws of behavior (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, n.d.).

There are many different treatments for children with autism that have developed through the years from behavioral interventions, transitional interventions, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) overlaps all these interventions and with the use of consequences to behaviors, has proven to be an effective treatment procedure. Studies have proven ABA therapy increases eye contact, reduces self-injurious behaviors, and improves social interactions among many other great results (Rafiee, S., & Khanjani, Z., 2019).**

**Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). About Behavior Analysis. BACB. https://www.bacb.com/aboutbehavior-analysis/

Rafiee, S., & Khanjani, Z. (2019). The Effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy in Children with Autism Spectrum. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 6(6). http://dx.doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v6i6.1225

How many hours per week will my child receive services?

The amount of service hours per week can vary based on needs of the child, needs of the family, and the financial approval of the insurance company. The schedule of services is discussed at the time of intake and can change throughout the treatment plan timeframe with approval of all members of the service team.

Who is my team and what does each team member do?

The service team includes a Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) or PA Liscensed Behavior Consultant (LBC), at least one Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), administration members, the family coordinator, and most importantly the family.

Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) or PA Liscensed Behavior Consultant (LBC) creates the plan of services and will adapt the program as needed to adjust goals or treatment procedures as needed for the best progression of skill development.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) will provide the services and implement the plan that had been created specifically for your child. The data collection and feedback to the other members of the team is essential for continued success.

The administration team members ensure finacial and scheduling needs are met to ensure continued services are provided as planned.

The family coordinator focuses on Journey Center standards for IBHS ABA treatment plans and your child’s school IEP programming related to parent involvement by serving as the liaison between the Journey Center and parents. The family coordinator will also offer trainings for families that align with the treatment plans.

The family is a critical part of the team and is greatly encouraged to follow through with ABA procedures trained to them for the best success in generalizing skills from Journey Center into the families’ everyday routines.

What will sessions look like?

The sessions vary based on treatment plan goals and client needs. However, most contain routines of Intensive Table Teaching, Natural Environment Teaching, Life Skill Development, and Social Skill Development.

Intensive Table Teaching is used to introduce new skills, maintain fluency of known skills, and conduct discrete trials for data collection. The data collected in these sessions reflect the progression of gained communication skills through verbal operants.

Natural Environment Teaching is used to generalize skills from the table into the natural environment through play, routine bins with repeated reading and activities, or completing daily tasks within the center environment.

Life Skill Development is the practice of daily living skills using a task analysis of steps to complete the task. The data collected indicates the areas of independence and the areas of skill needs for mastery. These could include but are not limited to skills of toileting, toothbrushing, washing dishes, or getting dresses.

Social Skill Development ranges from early skills of appropriate play, to tolorating proximity with peers, to engaging cooperatively with completing tasks. Opportunities are offered throughout the session by offering a variety of toys, organized group activities such as calendar time, and controlled environment through organizied board game or puzzle play.

Where will services take place?

The Journey Center team is able to provide children ABA services as well as speech and language therapy in their homes or in many surrounding schools in Blair, Centre, Mifflin, Fulton and Juniata Counties. We also have two center locations in Altoona, PA.

How much do parents participate?

Parent coachings are offered on an as needed basis to provide the best generalization of skills from the center or intensive teaching space into the everyday home environment. Topics include but are not limited to autism awareness, understanding the function of behavior, communication device use, and many other life skill opportunities. Parent involvement is encouraged for consistence in your child’s treatment plan and proven progression results. Please call to discuss your training needs and we can discuss opportunities to meet your request.

How to Start ABA Therapy

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Step One: First Contact

Families looking to begin ABA therapy at Journey Center should start by scheduling a phone consultation. Each family who contacts us works with the family coordinator to guide them through the enrollment process and assessments.

Step Two: Clinical Consultation

Every family interested in services at Journey Center can speak with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) to learn more about ABA therapy to create the best therapeutic match for their child.

To best understand your family and child’s needs, Journey Center will ask questions about behavior, health history, development, skill acquisition, strengths, and interests. When answering for the best plan to be created, it is vital to be honest.

Step Three: Benefits Verification and Financial Consultation

ABA is the most successful form of autism therapy. It is approved by the United States Surgeon General and covered by insurance in Pennsylvania. We offer complimentary insurance verification for families to determine the extent of their benefits for ABA services, including copay and deductible amounts. After we collect financial information, we review it with parents and provide an estimated monthly cost of services and any help we can provide.

Step Four: Enrollment Paperwork

After the financial review, families then complete the initial paperwork. The paperwork includes consent for services, allergy and general health information, medication authorization, and exchange of information permission (for example, with teachers or physicians).

At this point, Journey Center also provides parents with a handbook and client rights information. Parents and the family coordinator review and finalize paperwork at a meeting before beginning ABA therapy.

Step Five: Ready to start ABA therapy

The child is now ready to begin ABA therapy at Journey Center. The family coordinator will introduce them to the local BCBA or LBC they will be working with, and one or two assessment meetings will be scheduled.

Depending on clinical capacity, the family may be placed on a waitlist. The family coordinator will maintain regular contact with families on this list and offer support until services begin.

Step Six: Assessment

Assessment is the final step of the intake process and the first clinical visit. The assessment is an opportunity for Journey Center to assess the current level of a child’s skills across multiple areas and gather baseline data on behavior.

The assessment may vary in time for completion and can be conducted in the family’s home or at Journey Center. Parents are very involved in this process and often attend sessions to help their child demonstrate skills or help the clinician set up the most common conditions under which a specific behavior occurs.

Journey Center uses this time to gain comprehensive knowledge about the child they will be working with, such as their language and communication, adaptive functioning, and social skills. Their goal is to target areas for creating the most beneficial and successful plan.

After the assessment is completed, Journey Center determines a treatment plan and outlines goals for therapy. This plan and a therapy schedule are finalized with parents and then submitted to their insurance carrier for pre-authorization. Their child is then ready to make noticeable strides through ABA therapy at Journey Center.